In a statement, the airlines said the Boeing 777 was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew.

“Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam,” tweeted Malaysia Airlines.

“The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace.”

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was “shocked” by reports of another Malaysia Airlines crash, and would be launching a full investigation.

photo galleryThe horror of MH17 in pictures

Wreckage from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 lies in a field on July 22, 2014 in Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: Getty1 of 63

The train carrying the 280 bodies recovered from the downed Malaysian flight MH17 arrives at the Malyshev Plant, in the government-held Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Rebels controlling the crash site released the morgue train under intense international pressure, finally allowing a great majority of the 298 crash victims to begin the long journey home. Their remains are now to be flown to the Netherlands, which had 193 citizens on board the doomed flight and is taking the lead in investigating a disaster that has brought Ukraine’s bloody three-month conflict to the doorstep of countries as far away as Australia. Picture: AFP2 of 63

Police officers secure a refrigerated train loaded with bodies of the passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 as it arrives in a Kharkiv factory for a stop. The train carrying the remains of people killed in the Malaysia Airlines crash arrived in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Tuesday on their way to the Netherlands, a journey which has been agonisingly slow for relatives of the victims. Picture: AP3 of 63

A pro-Russia separatist shows members of the media a black box belonging to Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, before handing it over to Malaysian representatives during a press conference in Donetsk. Rebels controlling the crash site of Malaysian flight MH17 on July 22 handed over the plane’s black boxes, and declared a localised truce to allow international experts full access to the forensic minefield in east Ukraine. Dutch investigators leading a probe into the disaster were preparing to take charge of the bodies of 280 victims set to arrive by train in the government-controlled city of Kharkiv. Picture: AFP PHOTO4 of 63

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows one of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site. They also announced at the press conference a ceasefire within a 10 kilometre (six mile) radius around the crash site to allow international investigators to safely access the vast area where the Malaysia Airlines flight was downed. Picture: AFP5 of 63

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows the Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai (C) posing with Colonel Mohamed Sakri of the Malaysian National Security Council (2ndR) during the handing over to Malaysia of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site of the MH17 jet, at a press conference in Donetsk. Picture: AFP6 of 63

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows a Malaysian official checking one of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site. Picture: AFP7 of 63

People walk among the debris at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 near the village of Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: AFP8 of 63

Debris at the crash site of MH17 near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine. Picture: AP9 of 63

Fire engines arrive at the crash site of MH17 near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine, as the sun sets. Picture: AP10 of 63

Wreckage of MH17 near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP11 of 63

A pro-Russian fighter holds up a toy found among the debris at the crash site of MH17. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)12 of 63

Wreckage of MH17 near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP13 of 63

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 taking off from Schiphol Airport just hours before it crashed. Picture: AFP14 of 63

In this image taken from amateur video, a fireball is seen shortly after the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane was shot down as it flew over Ukraine. Picture: AP15 of 63

Flames rise from part of the wreckage of the plane after it was shot down over Ukraine, near the village of Hrabove, in eastern Ukraine. Picture: AP16 of 63

Bags are pictured at the site of the crash of MH17, near the town of Shaktarsk in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP17 of 63

Bodies can be seen among the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines flight travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed into a field. Picture: AFP18 of 63

A firefighter sprays water to extinguish a fire amid the wreckage. Picture: AFP24 of 63

Self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the pro-Russian separatist “Donetsk People’s Republic” Alexander Borodai stands next to guards as he arrives on the site of the crash. Picture: AFP25 of 63

A woman reacts after hearing about the tragedy at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Picture: AP26 of 63

This photo shows the information screen at the arrivals hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, displaying Malaysia Airlines MH17. Picture: AFP27 of 63

Relatives of passengers get on to a bus at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam, headed for an unknown destination after they received additional information about the Malaysia Airlines plane. Picture: AFP28 of 63

The White House ‏tweeted this image of US President Obama as he spoke to Ukrainian President Poroshenko. Picture: Twitter http://go.wh.gov/D4bM2X pic.twitter.com/wFIPqFcdq029 of 63

Russian President ‏Vladimir Putin’s government tweeted this image as he observed a moment of silence in honour of victims of the plane crash. Twitter / http://bit.ly/UdGBwp pic.twitter.com/qqHkn7hELL30 of 63

A relative of a passenger on flight MH17 waits in a bus to be transported to an unknown location to receive more information, at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Picture: AP32 of 63

A closed desk of Malaysian airlines is seen at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Picture: AP33 of 63

A woman lights a candle in front of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kiev, to commemorate passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AFP34 of 63

People gather to mourn and lay flowers and light candles in front of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kiev, to commemorate passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AFP35 of 63

A young boy helps lay flower tributes near the Dutch embassy to express condolences to air crash victims. Picture: AP36 of 63

People look at flowers placed in remembrance for the victims of the MH17 plane crash at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam, on July 21, 2014. Western powers on July 21 ratcheted up the pressure on Moscow over the Malaysian plane disaster, as a train loaded with some 280 bodies was finally allowed to leave a rebel-held station four days after the jet crashed in strife-torn east Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS37 of 63

A woman with a child walks past the crash site of a passenger plane near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine. Picture: AP38 of 63

People stand among the wreckages of the Malaysia Airlines plane carrying nearly 300 passengers after it crashed in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP39 of 63

A firefighter stands as flames burst among the wreckages of the Malaysian airliner passenger plane as night falls in Ukraine. Picture: AFP40 of 63

A couple walks to the location where more information will be given regarding the Malaysia Airlines plane. Picture: AFP41 of 63

A Buk M2 missile system similar to this one is believed responsible for the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH017. Picture: AP42 of 63

This image taken from a video shows a guidebook for Bali found in the wreckage. Picture: AP43 of 63

An Australian passport can be seen in footage taken by a local TV station. Up to 27 Aussies are feared dead in the tragedy.44 of 63

A man believed to be a Dutch investigator leaves for a meeting with representatives of the pro-Russia rebels to discuss the transfer of the flight data recorders from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 21, 2014 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Picture: Getty45 of 63

A pair of clogs with a message for Dutch citizens killed on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is seen in front of the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP46 of 63

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, right, wipes his nose after speaking during a security council meeting at United Nations headquarters. Picture: AP47 of 63

Julie Bishop, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaks during a security council meeting at United Nations headquarters. The council unanimously adopted a resolution demanding full access to the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AP48 of 63

Alexander Hug (C), Deputy Chief Monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, visits a train containing the bodies of victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Together with Dutch inspectors, the storage conditions were declared acceptable, though it is still unclear where or when the train will be moved. Picture: Getty49 of 63

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and members of a forensic team inspect a refrigerator wagon containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. The head of a Dutch forensic team said on Monday a train, carrying the remains of victims from the Malaysian airliner crash, should set off later on Monday to a place where “we can do our work”. Picture: AFP50 of 63

Armed pro-Russian separatists stand guard in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez. Picture: AFP51 of 63

An armed pro-Russian separatist stands guard in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. Picture: AFP52 of 63

An armed pro-Russia separatist walks with a woman near the train station on July 21, 2014 as intense shelling rocked the area, in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Insurgent fighters had closed off the roads in the area on the edge of the city and terrified civilians were fleeing the fighting in minibuses and on foot. Sporadic clashes have taken place around the separatist bastion as both sides have ignored calls for a ceasefire following Thursday’s downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in rebel-held some 60 kilometres (40 miles) from Donetsk. Picture: AFP53 of 63

A woman holds flowers during a flowers laying ceremony at the Netherlands embassy in Kiev. Picture: AFP54 of 63

Personnel from the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry load the bodies of victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 into a truck at the crash site on July 21, 2014 in Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: Getty55 of 63

An armed separatist guards in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez. Picture: AFP56 of 63

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and members of a forensic team inspect a refrigerator wagon containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. The head of a Dutch forensic team said on Monday a train, carrying the remains of victims from the Malaysian airliner crash, should set off later on Monday to a place where “we can do our work” AFP PHOTO/ BULENT KILIC57 of 63

Alexander Hug (R), Deputy Chief Monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, visit a train containing the bodies of victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Together with Dutch inspectors, the storage conditions were declared acceptable, though it is still unclear where or when the train will be moved. Picture: Getty58 of 63

The bodies of victims of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrive at the Torez train station in the back of a truck to be loaded into a refrigerated train car on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Picture: Getty59 of 63

International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site60 of 63

International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site61 of 63

-62 of 63

International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site63 of 63

Wreckage from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 lies in a field on July 22, 2014 in Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: Getty

The train carrying the 280 bodies recovered from the downed Malaysian flight MH17 arrives at the Malyshev Plant, in the government-held Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Rebels controlling the crash site released the morgue train under intense international pressure, finally allowing a great majority of the 298 crash victims to begin the long journey home. Their remains are now to be flown to the Netherlands, which had 193 citizens on board the doomed flight and is taking the lead in investigating a disaster that has brought Ukraine’s bloody three-month conflict to the doorstep of countries as far away as Australia. Picture: AFP

Police officers secure a refrigerated train loaded with bodies of the passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 as it arrives in a Kharkiv factory for a stop. The train carrying the remains of people killed in the Malaysia Airlines crash arrived in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Tuesday on their way to the Netherlands, a journey which has been agonisingly slow for relatives of the victims. Picture: AP

A pro-Russia separatist shows members of the media a black box belonging to Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, before handing it over to Malaysian representatives during a press conference in Donetsk. Rebels controlling the crash site of Malaysian flight MH17 on July 22 handed over the plane’s black boxes, and declared a localised truce to allow international experts full access to the forensic minefield in east Ukraine. Dutch investigators leading a probe into the disaster were preparing to take charge of the bodies of 280 victims set to arrive by train in the government-controlled city of Kharkiv. Picture: AFP PHOTO

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows one of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site. They also announced at the press conference a ceasefire within a 10 kilometre (six mile) radius around the crash site to allow international investigators to safely access the vast area where the Malaysia Airlines flight was downed. Picture: AFP

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows the Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai (C) posing with Colonel Mohamed Sakri of the Malaysian National Security Council (2ndR) during the handing over to Malaysia of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site of the MH17 jet, at a press conference in Donetsk. Picture: AFP

This image grab taken from an AFP TV video shows a Malaysian official checking one of the two black boxes recovered from the crash site. Picture: AFP

People walk among the debris at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 near the village of Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: AFP

Debris at the crash site of MH17 near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine. Picture: AP

Fire engines arrive at the crash site of MH17 near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine, as the sun sets. Picture: AP

Wreckage of MH17 near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP

A pro-Russian fighter holds up a toy found among the debris at the crash site of MH17. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Wreckage of MH17 near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 taking off from Schiphol Airport just hours before it crashed. Picture: AFP

In this image taken from amateur video, a fireball is seen shortly after the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane was shot down as it flew over Ukraine. Picture: AP

Flames rise from part of the wreckage of the plane after it was shot down over Ukraine, near the village of Hrabove, in eastern Ukraine. Picture: AP

Bags are pictured at the site of the crash of MH17, near the town of Shaktarsk in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP

Bodies can be seen among the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines flight travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur after it crashed into a field. Picture: AFP

A relative of a passenger on flight MH17 waits in a bus to be transported to an unknown location to receive more information, at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Picture: AP

A closed desk of Malaysian airlines is seen at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Picture: AP

A woman lights a candle in front of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kiev, to commemorate passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AFP

People gather to mourn and lay flowers and light candles in front of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kiev, to commemorate passengers of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AFP

A young boy helps lay flower tributes near the Dutch embassy to express condolences to air crash victims. Picture: AP

People look at flowers placed in remembrance for the victims of the MH17 plane crash at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam, on July 21, 2014. Western powers on July 21 ratcheted up the pressure on Moscow over the Malaysian plane disaster, as a train loaded with some 280 bodies was finally allowed to leave a rebel-held station four days after the jet crashed in strife-torn east Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS

A woman with a child walks past the crash site of a passenger plane near the village of Hrabove, Ukraine. Picture: AP

People stand among the wreckages of the Malaysia Airlines plane carrying nearly 300 passengers after it crashed in rebel-held east Ukraine. Picture: AFP

A firefighter stands as flames burst among the wreckages of the Malaysian airliner passenger plane as night falls in Ukraine. Picture: AFP

A couple walks to the location where more information will be given regarding the Malaysia Airlines plane. Picture: AFP

A Buk M2 missile system similar to this one is believed responsible for the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH017. Picture: AP

This image taken from a video shows a guidebook for Bali found in the wreckage. Picture: AP

An Australian passport can be seen in footage taken by a local TV station. Up to 27 Aussies are feared dead in the tragedy.

A man believed to be a Dutch investigator leaves for a meeting with representatives of the pro-Russia rebels to discuss the transfer of the flight data recorders from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 21, 2014 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Picture: Getty

A pair of clogs with a message for Dutch citizens killed on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is seen in front of the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, right, wipes his nose after speaking during a security council meeting at United Nations headquarters. Picture: AP

Julie Bishop, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaks during a security council meeting at United Nations headquarters. The council unanimously adopted a resolution demanding full access to the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Picture: AP

Alexander Hug (C), Deputy Chief Monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, visits a train containing the bodies of victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Together with Dutch inspectors, the storage conditions were declared acceptable, though it is still unclear where or when the train will be moved. Picture: Getty

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and members of a forensic team inspect a refrigerator wagon containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. The head of a Dutch forensic team said on Monday a train, carrying the remains of victims from the Malaysian airliner crash, should set off later on Monday to a place where “we can do our work”. Picture: AFP

Armed pro-Russian separatists stand guard in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez. Picture: AFP

An armed pro-Russian separatist stands guard in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. Picture: AFP

An armed pro-Russia separatist walks with a woman near the train station on July 21, 2014 as intense shelling rocked the area, in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Insurgent fighters had closed off the roads in the area on the edge of the city and terrified civilians were fleeing the fighting in minibuses and on foot. Sporadic clashes have taken place around the separatist bastion as both sides have ignored calls for a ceasefire following Thursday’s downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in rebel-held some 60 kilometres (40 miles) from Donetsk. Picture: AFP

A woman holds flowers during a flowers laying ceremony at the Netherlands embassy in Kiev. Picture: AFP

Personnel from the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry load the bodies of victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 into a truck at the crash site on July 21, 2014 in Grabovo, Ukraine. Picture: Getty

An armed separatist guards in front of wagons containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez. Picture: AFP

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and members of a forensic team inspect a refrigerator wagon containing the remains of victims from the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, at a railway station in the eastern Ukrainian town of Torez on July 21, 2014. The head of a Dutch forensic team said on Monday a train, carrying the remains of victims from the Malaysian airliner crash, should set off later on Monday to a place where “we can do our work” AFP PHOTO/ BULENT KILIC

Alexander Hug (R), Deputy Chief Monitor of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, visit a train containing the bodies of victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Together with Dutch inspectors, the storage conditions were declared acceptable, though it is still unclear where or when the train will be moved. Picture: Getty

The bodies of victims of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrive at the Torez train station in the back of a truck to be loaded into a refrigerated train car on July 21, 2014 in Torez, Ukraine. Picture: Getty

International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site

International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site

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International Tension Increases Over Access To MH17 Crash Site

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Conflict ... A July 14 image of a Ukrainian AN-26 transport aircraft shot down by pro-Russian rebels near Davido-Nikolsk. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

What’s certain is that the struggling airline and the nation must now prepare for another agonising encounter with grief, recriminations, international scrutiny and serious legal and diplomatic implications.

“This is a tragic day in what has already been a tragic year for Malaysia,” Mr Razak said.

Amid it all, a question: Just how could disaster strike the airline twice in such a short space of time?

“Either one of these events has an unbelievably low probability,” said John Cox, president and CEO of Safety Operating Systems and a former airline pilot and accident investigator.

“To have two in a just a few months of each other is certainly unprecedented.”

The first disaster deeply scarred Malaysia and left the world dumbstruck. How could a Boeing 777-200ER, a modern jumbo jet, simply disappear? Flight 370 had veered off course during a flight to Beijing and is believed to have crashed in the Indian Ocean far off the Western Australian coast.

MH17 map

The search area has changed several times. But no sign of the aircraft or the 239 people aboard has been found. How the plane got there remains a mystery.

Today there is no mystery over the whereabouts of the Boeing 777-200ER. Its wreckage was found in Ukraine and there were no survivors.

Officials said the plane was shot down at an altitude of 10,000 metres. The region has seen severe fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia separatists in recent days.

Malaysia Airlines was widely criticised for the way it handled the Flight 370 hunt and investigation. Some relatives of those on board accused the airline of engaging in a cover-up and there have been persistent conspiracy theories over the fate of the plane, including that it might have been shot down.

Abbott: Perpetrators must be brought to justice

There was no immediate reason to think the two disasters to befall the airline were in any way linked.

Najib said the plane’s flight route had been declared safe by the global civil aviation body.

Cox said that to his knowledge, there was no prohibition against flying over eastern Ukraine despite the fighting on the ground.

Charles Oman, a lecturer at the department of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said it was too early to draw conclusions.

“Given the military conflict in the region, one has to be concerned that identities could have been mistaken,” he said in an email.

Malaysia Airlines was especially criticised for the way it handled the communications around the missing jetliner, which presented unique challenges because of the uncertainty facing the relatives of those on board.

shoot-downs

With the plane crashing over land and its wreckage already located, there will be no such uncertainty.

But the investigation will be just as sensitive. There will be legal and diplomatic implications depending on who was responsible.

“The airline and the Malaysian transport ministry took a lot of hits for the way they handled MH370, due to their inexperience,” Oman said.

“Hopefully they will do better this time.”

The accident will surely inflict more financial damage on Malaysia Airlines. Even before the March disaster, it reported losses because of stiff competition from budget airlines.

Afterwards, passengers cancelled flights and even though the airline is insured, it faces uncertainty over payouts to the victims’ families.

In the wake ... an Airbus A380 flies under white smoke left by a Ukrainian army plane over Marynivka, in Ukraine, a few kilometres from the Russian border. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

A Ukrainian minister said the aircraft was shot down, and Ukraine denied its forces had engaged with any aircraft.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the MH17 plane “disappeared from radar screens”.

“In recent days, this is the third tragic accident after the Russian territory were downed aircraft AN-26 and SU-25 Armed Forces of Ukraine. We do not exclude that this aircraft was also shot down, and stress that the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not commit any action to defeat the purposes of the air,” he added.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who assisted in the chaotic search for MH370, appealed for calm on Twitter.

“MH17-keep calm,” he tweeted, adding that he was working with the Prime Minister and Transport Minister to determine more details.

Air France and Lufthansa have both announced they will be avoiding Ukrainian air space, while Virgin said it would reroute some flights.

The never-ending search for MH3702:28

As it has unfolded, the mystery of missing flight MH370 and the incredible twists and turns in world news coverage.